10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

ý Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013

or

o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File No. 0-19621

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	41-1454591 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7400 Excelsior Boulevard, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Address of principal executive offices)	55426-4517 (Zip Code)

952-930-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  ý Yes  o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ý Yes  o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  o Yes  ý No

As of May 7, 2013, there were outstanding 5,555,927 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, without par value.

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 30, 2013 (unaudited) and December 29, 2012	2
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012	3
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012	4
	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	21
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	22
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	23
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	23
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	23
Item 5.	Other Information	23
Item 6.	Exhibits	24
SIGNATURES		25

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PART I.                 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,925		$	3,174
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $12 and $8, respectively	6,826			6,256
Inventories, net of reserves of $504 and $682, respectively	14,395			17,274
Income taxes receivable	518			522
Other current assets	1,001			1,332
Total current assets	26,665			28,558
Property and equipment, net	11,946			12,248
Restricted cash	500			—
Other assets	1,069			973
Deferred income taxes	24			25
Total assets (a)	$	40,204		$	41,804
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	5,449		$	4,957
Accrued expenses	5,179			4,310
Line of credit	7,769			10,559
Current maturities of long-term obligations	1,037			955
Deferred income tax liability	146			146
Total current liabilities	19,580			20,927
Long-term obligations, less current maturities	6,150			6,357
Deferred gain, net of current portion	244			365
Deferred income tax liabilities	921			921
Total liabilities (a)	26,895			28,570
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 5,556 shares at both periods	20,581			20,577
Accumulated deficit	(8,465		)	(8,649		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(348		)	(290		)
Total shareholders’ equity	11,768			11,638
Noncontrolling interest	1,541			1,596
	13,309			13,234
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	40,204		$	41,804

(a) Assets of ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (AAP), our consolidated variable interest entity (VIE), that can only be used to settle obligations of AAP were $9,762 and $10,045 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. Liabilities of AAP for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. were $1,922 and $1,948 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	$	18,059		$	19,756
Recycling	8,300			5,265
Byproduct	4,065			4,423
Total revenues	30,424			29,444
Costs of revenues	22,514			21,500
Gross profit	7,910			7,944
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,485			7,860
Operating income	425			84
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(283		)	(254		)
Other income (expense), net	(13		)	16
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	129			(154		)
Benefit of income taxes	—			(77		)
Net income (loss)	129			(77		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	55			11
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$	184		$	(66	)
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.03		$	(0.01	)
Diluted	$	0.03		$	(0.01	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	5,556			5,537
Diluted	5,678			5,537
Net income (loss)	$	129		$	(77	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments	(58		)	60
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(58		)	60
Comprehensive income (loss)	71			(17		)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	55			11
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$	126		$	(6	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	129		$	(77	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	337			303
Share-based compensation	4			36
Amortization of deferred gain	(121		)	(122		)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	49			49
Other	16			3
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(571		)	1,298
Inventories	2,879			(1,807		)
Other current assets	335			(231		)
Other assets	(24		)	(37		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,277			2,412
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	4,310			1,827
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(45		)	(350		)
Increase in restricted cash	(500		)	—
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(545		)	(350		)
Financing activities
Net payments under line of credit	(2,790		)	(1,725		)
Payments on debt obligations	(205		)	(257		)
Proceeds from issuance of debt obligations	80			—
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock	—			82
Payment of debt issuance costs	(42		)	—
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(2,957		)	(1,900		)
Effect of changes in exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	(57		)	58
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	751			(365		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,174			4,401
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	3,925		$	4,036

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash payments for interest	$	205	$	203
Cash payments for income taxes	$	1	$	123
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Accrued debt issuance costs related to amended credit agreement	$	98	$	—

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

1.Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and subsidiaries (“we,” the “Company” or “ARCA”) are in the business of providing turnkey appliance recycling and replacement services for electric utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs.  We also sell new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart^®.  In addition, we have a 50% interest in a joint venture operating under the name ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”), which recycles appliances from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States for General Electric Company (“GE”) acting through its GE Appliances business component.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial information and Article 8 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, normal and recurring adjustments and accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation for the periods indicated have been included.  Operating results for the three-month periods ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 are presented using 13-week periods.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2012 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2013.

Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

ApplianceSmart, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed through a corporate reorganization in July 2011 to hold our business of selling new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned retail stores.  ARCA Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in September 2006 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs.  ARCA Recycling, Inc., a California corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in November 1991 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility efficiency programs.  The operating results of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are consolidated in our financial statements.

AAP is a joint venture that was formed in October 2009 between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”) to support ARCA’s agreement, as amended, with GE acting through its GE Appliances business component.  Both ARCA and 4301 have a 50% interest in AAP.  GE sells its recyclable appliances generated from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States to ARCA, which collects, processes and recycles the appliances.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.  The agreement requires that ARCA will only recycle, and will not sell for re-use or resale, the recyclable appliances purchased from GE.  AAP established a regional processing center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at which the recyclable appliances are processed.  The term of the agreement is for 6 years from the first date of appliance collection, which was March 31, 2010.  AAP commenced operations in February 2010 and has the exclusive rights to service the GE agreement as a subcontractor for ARCA.  The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity and because we have the ability to significantly influence the economic performance of the entity through our contractual agreement with GE.

Reclassifications:  The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) include the reclassification of prior year revenues, cost of revenues and sales, general and administrative expenses related to AAP to conform with the current year presentation. The reclassification is related primarily to facilities costs and certain other costs not directly related to the production of recycled materials from cost of revenues to sales, general and administrative expenses.

Fair value of financial instruments:  The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

6

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable:  Due to their nature and short-term maturities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Short- and long-term debt:  The fair value of short- and long-term debt approximates carrying value and has been estimated based on discounted cash flows using interest rates being offered for similar debt having the same or similar remaining maturities and collateral requirements.

No separate comparison of fair values versus carrying values is presented for the aforementioned financial instruments since their fair values are not significantly different than their balance sheet carrying amounts.  In addition, the aggregate fair values of the financial instruments would not represent the underlying value of our Company.

2.Significant Accounting Policies

Trade receivables: We carry unsecured trade receivables at the original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a monthly review of all outstanding amounts.  Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.  We write off trade receivables when we deem them uncollectible.  We record recoveries of trade receivables previously written off when we receive them.  We consider a trade receivable to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for more than ninety days.  We do not charge interest on past due receivables.  Our management considers the allowance for doubtful accounts of $12 and $8 to be adequate to cover any exposure to loss at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Inventories:  Inventories, consisting principally of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market and consist of:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Appliances held for resale	$	14,598		$	17,768
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale	301			188
Less provision for inventory obsolescence	(504		)	(682		)
	$	14,395		$	17,274

We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustments to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions.  We look at historical inventory agings and margin analysis in determining our provision estimate.  A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded.

Property and equipment:  Property and equipment consists of the following:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Land	$	1,140		$	1,140
Buildings and improvements	3,277			3,429
Equipment (including computer software)	20,154			20,158
Projects under construction	81			63
	24,652			24,790
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(12,706		)	(12,542		)
	$	11,946		$	12,248

Software development costs:  We capitalize software developed for internal use and are amortizing such costs over their estimated useful lives of three years.  Costs capitalized were $24 and $49 for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

Restricted cash:  Restricted cash consisted of a reserve required by our bankcard processor to cover chargebacks, adjustments, fees and other charges that may be due from us.

7

Product warranty:  We provide a warranty for the replacement or repair of certain defective units which varies based on the product sold.  Our standard warranty policy requires us to repair or replace certain defective units at no cost to our customers.  We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty and record an accrual in the amount of such costs at the time we recognize product revenue.  Factors that affect our warranty accrual for covered units include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on these units, and the cost of such claims.  We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty accrual and adjust the amounts as necessary.

Changes in our warranty accrual are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Beginning Balance	$	47		$	71
Standard accrual based on units sold	11			12
Actual costs incurred	(4		)	(4		)
Periodic accrual adjustments	(12		)	(13		)
Ending Balance	$	42		$	66

Share-based compensation:  We recognize share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for all share-based awards granted.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of awards at the grant date.  We calculate the expected volatility for stock awards using historical volatility.  We estimate a 0%-5% forfeiture rate for stock awards issued to all employees and members of the Board of Directors, but will continue to review these estimates in future periods.  The risk-free rates for the expected terms of the stock awards are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  The expected life represents the period that the stock awards are expected to be outstanding.  The expected dividend yield is zero as we have not paid or declared any cash dividends on our Common Stock.  Based on these valuations, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $4 and $36 for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.  We do not have any remaining expense for fiscal 2013 based on the value of stock awards outstanding as of March 30, 2013.  However, we may have expense if additional awards are granted during 2013.

Comprehensive income (loss):  Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to shareholders’ equity.  Our other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:  Basic income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued.  Potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock include unexercised stock options and warrants.  Basic per share amounts are computed, generally, by dividing net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential Common Stock instruments unless their effect is anti-dilutive, thereby reducing the loss or increasing the income per common share.  In calculating diluted weighted average shares and per share amounts, we included stock options and warrants with exercise prices below average market prices, for the respective reporting periods in which they were dilutive, using the treasury stock method.  We calculated the number of additional shares by assuming the outstanding stock options were exercised and that the proceeds from such exercises were used to acquire Common Stock at the average market price during the quarter.  For the three months ended March 30, 2013, we excluded 556 options from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation as the effect of these options were anti-dilutive.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we excluded all options and warrants from the diluted weighted average share outstanding calculation as the effect of these options and warrants were anti-dilutive due to the net loss incurred.

A reconciliation of the denominator in the basic and diluted income or loss per share is as follows:

8

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$	184	$	(66	)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic	5,556		5,537
Employee stock options	—		—
Stock warrants	122		—
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted	5,678		5,537
Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)
Diluted	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)

3.Variable Interest Entity

The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity and because we have the ability to significantly influence the economic performance of the entity through our contractual agreement with GE.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of AAP as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Assets
Current assets	$	664	$	787
Property and equipment, net	8,952		9,109
Other assets	146		149
Total Assets	$	9,762	$	10,045
Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	719	$	826
Accrued expenses	261		204
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations	723		635
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	4,307		4,437
Other liabilities (a)	669		749
Total Liabilities	$	6,679	$	6,851

(a) Other liabilities represent loans between ARCA and AAP that are eliminated in consolidation.

The following table summarizes the operating results of AAP for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues	$	2,577		$	2,720
Gross profit	316			522
Operating income (loss)	(53		)	65
Net loss	(110		)	(22		)

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4.Other Assets

Other assets as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Goodwill	$	38	$	38
Deposits	400		376
Recycling contract, net	240		259
Debt issuance costs, net	370		279
Patent costs	21		21
	$	1,069	$	973

For the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we recorded amortization expense of $20 for both periods related to our recycling contract.  For the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we recorded non-cash interest expense of $49 for both periods related to debt issuance costs. In connection with the third amendment to our Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, N.A. executed on March 14, 2013, we incurred additional debt issuance costs of $140 with $42 paid as of March 30, 2013. The additional debt issuance costs were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement along with the remaining balance of the previously capitalized costs. See Note 6 for further discussion regarding the amended Credit Agreement entered into with PNC.

5.Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Compensation and benefits	$	1,332	$	963
Accrued incentive and rebate checks	549		563
Accrued rent	1,291		1,383
Warranty expense	42		47
Accrued payables	365		307
Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback of building	487		487
Deferred revenue	167		157
Other	946		403
	$	5,179	$	4,310

6.Line of Credit

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) that provides us with a $15,000 revolving line of credit.  See Note 8 for further discussion regarding the Term Loan entered into with PNC.  The Credit Agreement has a stated maturity date of January 24, 2016, if not renewed.  The Credit Agreement includes a lockbox agreement and a subjective acceleration clause and as a result we have classified the revolving line of credit as a current liability.  The Credit Agreement is collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and PNC is also secured by an inventory repurchase agreement with Whirlpool Corporation for Whirlpool purchases only.  We also issued a $750 letter of credit in favor of Whirlpool Corporation.  The Credit Agreement requires starting with the fiscal quarter ending December 28, 2013 and continuing at the end of each quarter thereafter, that we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, measured on a trailing twelve-month basis.  The Credit Agreement limits investments we can purchase, the amount of other debt and leases we can incur, the amount of loans we can issue to our affiliates and the amount we can spend on fixed assets along with prohibiting the payment of dividends.  The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is PNC Base Rate plus 2.75%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 1.75%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 2.75%.  The PNC Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by PNC at its prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (1%).  As of March 30, 2013, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $7,769 with an interest rate of 6.00%.  As of December 29, 2012, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $10,559 with a weighted average interest rate

10

of 3.07%, which included both PNC LIBOR Rate and PNC Base Rate loans.  The amount of revolving borrowings under the Credit Agreement is based on a formula using accounts receivable and inventories.  We may not have access to the full $15,000 revolving line of credit due to the formula using accounts receivable and inventories, the amount of the letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation and the amount of outstanding loans between PNC and our AAP joint venture.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, our available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement was $3,806 and $2,531, respectively.

On March 14, 2013, we executed the third amendment to the Credit Agreement that extended the agreement from January 24, 2014 until January 24, 2016, waived our prior “events of default,” reset our financial covenants and increased our interest rate, among other things. The material amended terms under the Credit Agreement are as follows:

• We must meet monthly minimum EBITDA requirements set forth in the amendment through 2013.

• The affiliate loan balance must be reduced by $40 per month in 2013 and the affiliate loan balance will be capped at $300 on January 25, 2014, and thereafter.

• Starting on December 28, 2013, we must meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 for the nine months then ended and on a trailing twelve-month basis beginning with the period ending March 30, 2014, and each quarter thereafter.

• The interest rate spread on our Revolving Loan and Term Loan increased 100 basis points for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. We are not eligible to borrow under 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans until certain Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met as set forth in the amendment, which include meeting all financial covenants during 2013. If these Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met, we will also be able to remove the 100 basis point increase for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. The earliest the Interest Rate Reduction conditions could be met is January 31, 2014.

• A prepayment penalty will be assessed at 3% during the first year of the third amendment to our Credit Agreement, 2% during the second year and 1% during the third year.

7.Deferred Gain

In connection with the September 25, 2009 sale-leaseback of our St. Louis Park, Minnesota, building, we recorded a deferred gain of $2,436.  The deferred gain is being amortized over the initial lease period of five years.  For three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we amortized $121 and $122, respectively, of the deferred gain.  The deferred gain amortization is netted against rent expense as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

8.Borrowings

Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
PNC term loan	$	1,976	$	2,040
Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment	4,088		4,154
2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment	404		411
10.00% note, due in monthly installments of $13, including interest, due December 2014	248		280
Capital leases and other financing obligations	471		427
	7,187		7,312
Less current maturities	1,037		955
	$	6,150	$	6,357

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a $2,550 Term Loan (“Term Loan”) with PNC Bank to refinance the mortgage on our California facility.  The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default or termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: 119 consecutive monthly principal payments of $21 plus interest commencing

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on February 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter followed by a 120th payment of all unpaid principal, interest and fees on February 1, 2021. If the Revolving Credit Agreement is not renewed a balloon payment of $1,275 in principal plus interest and additional fees will be due on January 24, 2016. The Term Loan is collateralized with our California facility located in Compton, California. The interest rate is PNC Base Rate plus 3.25%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 2.25%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 3.25%. As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.50% and 5.50%, respectively.

On March 10, 2011, ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC entered into three separate commercial term loans (“AAP Term Loans”) with Susquehanna Bank, pursuant to the guidelines of the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program.  The total amount of the AAP Term Loans is $4,750, split into three separate loans for $2,100; $1,400; and $1,250.  The AAP Term Loans mature in ten years and bear an interest rate of Prime plus 2.75%.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.00%.  Borrowings under the AAP Term Loans are secured by substantially all of the assets of AAP along with liens on the business assets and certain personal assets of the owners of 4301 Operations, LLC. We are a guarantor of the AAP Term Loans along with 4301 Operations, LLC and its owners.

Capital leases and other financing obligations:  We acquire certain equipment under capital leases and other financing obligations.  The cost of the equipment was approximately $1,955 and $1,969 at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  Accumulated amortization at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was approximately $1,581 and $1,574, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization expense is included in cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses.

9.Commitments and Contingencies

Contracts:  We have entered into material contracts with three appliance manufacturers.  Under the agreements there are no minimum purchase commitments; however, we have agreed to indemnify the manufacturers for certain claims, allegations or losses with respect to appliances we sell.

Litigation: We are party from time to time to ordinary course disputes that we do not believe to be material or have merit.  We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these ordinary course disputes.

10.Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 30, 2013, we did not record a provision for (benefit of) income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recorded a benefit of income taxes of $77. We have available net operating losses to utilize in 2013 to offset our projected full-year taxable income. We regularly evaluate both positive and negative evidence related to retaining a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.  The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future taxable income during the periods when deductible temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income. We have concluded based on the weight of negative evidence that a valuation allowance should be maintained against our net operating loss deferred tax assets as of March 30, 2013.

We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position.  For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, we did not have any material uncertain tax positions.

It is our practice to recognize interest related to income tax matters as a component of interest expense and penalties as a component of selling, general and administrative expense.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, we had an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, foreign jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions.  Tax regulations from each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, foreign, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2009.  We are not currently under examination by any taxing jurisdiction.

We had no significant unrecognized tax benefits as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 that would reasonably be expected to affect our effective tax rate during the next twelve months.

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11.Shareholders’ Equity

Stock options:  On May 12, 2011, our shareholders approved and adopted the 2011 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”).  The 2011 Plan authorizes the granting of awards in any of the following forms: (i) stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, and (iii) other share-based awards, including but not limited to restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance shares and expire on the earlier of May 12, 2021 or the date that all shares reserved under the 2011 Plan are issued or no longer available. 

The 2011 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 700 shares of Common Stock pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan.  Options granted to employees typically vest over two years while grants to non-employee directors vest in six months.  As of March 30, 2013, 52 options were outstanding under the 2011 Plan.  Our 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”) expired on June 30, 2011, but the options outstanding under the 2006 Plan continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  As of March 30, 2013, 473 options were outstanding to employees and non-employee directors under the 2006 Plan.  Our Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”) has expired, but the options outstanding under the expired 1997 Plan continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  As of March 30, 2013, options to purchase an aggregate of 8 shares were outstanding under the 1997 Plan.

Stock warrants: As of March 30, 2013, we had 278 warrants outstanding that were fully vested and have exercise prices ranging from $0.73 per share to $3.55 per share which begin to expire in October 2019.

Preferred Stock: Our amended Articles of Incorporation authorize two million shares of Preferred Stock that may be issued from time to time in one or more series having such rights, powers, preferences and designations as the Board of Directors may determine.  To date no such preferred shares have been issued.

12.Segment Information

We operate within targeted markets through two reportable segments: retail and recycling.  The retail segment is comprised of income generated through our ApplianceSmart stores, which includes appliance sales and byproduct revenues from collected appliances.  The recycling segment includes all fees charged and costs incurred for collecting, recycling and installing appliances for utilities and other customers and includes byproduct revenue, which is primarily generated through the recycling of appliances. We have included the results from consolidating AAP in our recycling segment.  The nature of products, services and customers for both segments varies significantly.  As such, the segments are managed separately.  Our Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).  The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources based on revenues and income from operations of each segment.  Income from operations represents revenues less cost of revenues and operating expenses, including certain allocated selling, general and administrative costs.  There are no inter-segment sales or transfers.

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The following tables present our segment information for periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	$	18,321		$	20,071
Recycling	12,103			9,373
Total revenues	$	30,424		$	29,444
Operating income:
Retail	$	(182	)	$	102
Recycling	792			(37		)
Unallocated corporate	(185		)	19
Total operating income	$	425		$	84
Assets:
Retail	$	19,227		$	21,773
Recycling	15,010			18,998
Corporate assets not allocable	5,967			6,447
Total assets	$	40,204		$	47,218
Cash capital expenditures:
Retail	$	—		$	39
Recycling	2			50
Corporate assets not allocable	43			261
Total cash capital expenditures	$	45		$	350
Depreciation and amortization:
Retail	$	53		$	57
Recycling	194			144
Unallocated corporate	90			102
Total depreciation and amortization	$	337		$	303
Interest expense:
Retail	$	112		$	81
Recycling	91			121
Unallocated corporate	80			53
Total interest expense	$	283		$	255

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This quarterly report contains statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended.  Any statements contained in this quarterly report that are not purely historical or relate to our future operations, performance and results, and anticipated liquidity are forward looking.  These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this quarterly report, but are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed herein.  Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this quarterly report.

The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report, and other written and oral forward-looking statements made by us from time to time, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking information regarding our operations will be affected primarily by individual retail stores profitability, the volume of appliance sales, the strength of energy conservation recycling programs and general economic conditions affecting consumer demand for appliances.  Any forward-looking information will also be affected by our continued ability to purchase product from our suppliers at acceptable prices, the ability of individual retail stores to meet planned revenue levels, the number of retail stores, costs and expenses being realized at higher than expected levels, our ability to secure an adequate supply of special-buy appliances for resale, the ability to secure appliance recycling and replacement contracts with sponsors of energy efficiency programs, the ability of customers to supply units under their recycling contracts with us, the performance of our consolidated variable interest entity and the continued availability of our current line of credit.  Other factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012.

The following discussion and analysis provides information that we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our operations and financial condition.  This discussion should be read with the consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1.

Overview

We operate two reportable segments: retail and recycling.  Our retail segment is comprised of income generated from the sale of appliances through ApplianceSmart^® stores and includes a small portion of our byproduct revenues from collected appliances.  Our recycling segment includes all income generated from collecting, recycling and installing appliances for utilities and other customers and includes a significant portion of our byproduct revenue, which is primarily generated through the recycling of appliances.  Our recycling segment also includes all income generated from our agreement with General Electric (“GE”) acting through its GE Appliances business component.  GE sells its recyclable appliances in certain regions of the United States to us and we collect, process and recycle the appliances.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.  The agreement requires that we will only recycle, and will not sell for re-use or resale, the recyclable appliances purchased from GE.  We have established regional processing centers in Philadelphia and Louisville to support our agreement with GE.  The regional processing center in Philadelphia is operated by ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”) through a joint venture agreement between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”).

Our business components are uniquely positioned in the industry to work together to provide a full array of appliance-related services.  ApplianceSmart operates eighteen company-owned stores, sells new appliances directly to consumers and provides affordable ENERGY STAR^® options for energy efficiency appliance replacement programs.  Our eleven regional centers process appliances at end of life to remove environmentally damaging substances and produce material byproducts for recycling for over 150 utilities in the U.S. and Canada.  AAP employs advanced technology to refine traditional appliance recycling techniques to achieve optimal revenue-generating and environmental benefits. We are also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (“URT”), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap.

We believe the GE contract and AAP model is the future of appliance recycling and expect to open similar centers throughout the United States.  We cannot predict when these centers may open or if the appropriate volumes can be obtained to support the AAP model at future locations.

Our retail segment is similar to many other retailers in that it is seasonal in nature.  Historically, the fourth quarter is our weakest quarter in terms of both revenues and earnings.  We believe this is primarily because the fourth quarter includes several holidays during which consumers tend to focus less on purchasing major household appliances.

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Revenues and earnings in our recycling segment are impacted by seasonal variances, with both the second and third quarters generally having higher levels of revenues and earnings.  This seasonality is due primarily to our utility customers supporting more marketing and advertising during the spring and summer months.  Our customers tend to promote the recycling programs more aggressively during the warmer months because they believe more people want to clean up their garages and basements during that time of the year.  However, the addition of the GE agreement and some customers shifting to marketing their appliance recycling programs year-round has helped to mitigate some seasonality.

Our recycling segment typically operates two types of programs:

1. Fees charged for collecting and recycling appliances for utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs.

2. Fees charged for recycling and replacing old appliances with new ENERGY STAR^® appliances for energy     efficiency programs sponsored by electric and gas utilities.

Over the last twelve months recycling-only programs continue to report declining revenues and volumes, while we’ve experienced strong revenues and volumes from our replacement programs. We believe factors impacting this shift include a declining number of pre-1993 refrigerators eligible for recycling programs and a greater emphasis by utilities on promoting ENERGY STAR^® appliances.

We derive revenues from the sale of carbon offsets created by the destruction of ozone-depleting CFCs generated at our ARCA and AAP recycling centers. Through the three months ended March 30, 2013, we did not recognize any carbon offset revenues. In 2012, we sold carbon offsets on the voluntary market and recognized $0.1 million in revenues compared with $1.2 million in 2011. The decline in 2012 and 2013 is due to uncertainty regarding California’s nascent carbon market; we elected to delay the destruction and sale of the majority of our accumulated CFCs until this market stabilized. In January 2013, the California Superior Court rejected a major challenge to California’s cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gases; other legal challenges are still pending. In April 2013, California’s Air Resources Board approved linking the state’s program with a similar program in Quebec beginning in 2014, which we consider an important step toward a more efficient, liquid market. We cannot predict the impact of any legal cases nor future market expansion, but we believe there is growing momentum in the carbon offset market. In the future, we believe it will become easier and more profitable to monetize our existing and future inventory of carbon offsets created by the destruction of CFCs. We expect to create carbon offsets throughout 2013 and derive revenues through California’s market in the second half of 2013.

We monitor specific economic factors such as retail trends, consumer confidence, manufacturing by the major appliance companies, sales of existing homes and mortgage interest rates as key indicators of industry demand, particularly in our retail segment.  Competition in the home appliance industry is intense in the four retail markets we serve.  This includes competition not only from independent retailers, but also from such major retailers as Sears, Best Buy, The Home Depot and Lowe’s.  We also closely monitor the metals and various other scrap markets because of the type of components recovered in our recycling process.  This includes monitoring the American Metal Market and the regions throughout the U.S. where we have our recycling centers.

Reporting Period. Operating results for the three months ended March 30,2013 and March 31,2012 are presented using 13-week periods, respectively.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated financial data as a percentage of total revenues for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	59.3	%	67.1	%
Recycling	27.3		17.9
Byproduct	13.4		15.0
Total revenues	100.0		100.0
Cost of revenues	74.0		73.0
Gross profit	26.0		27.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	24.6		26.7
Operating income	1.4		0.3
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(0.9	)	(0.9	)
Other income (expense), net	—		0.1
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	0.5		(0.5	)
Benefit of income taxes	—		(0.3	)
Net income (loss)	0.5		(0.2	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.2		—
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	0.7	%	(0.2	)%

For the Three Months EndedMarch 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012

The following table sets forth the key results of operations by segment for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 (dollars in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012			% Change
Revenues:
Retail	$	18.3		$	20.1		(9	)%
Recycling	12.1			9.3			29	%
Total revenues	$	30.4		$	29.4		3	%
Operating income (loss):
Retail	(0.2		)	0.1			(278	)%
Recycling	0.8			(0.0		)	2,240	%
Unallocated corporate costs	(0.2		)	0.0			(1,076	)%
Total operating income	0.4			0.1			406	%

Our total revenues of $30.4 million for the first quarter of 2013 increased $1.0 million or 3% from $29.4 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase in revenues was attributed to our recycling segment. Replacement program revenues increased by $3.8 million compared with the prior year, which was partially offset by a decline in recycling-only revenues of $0.8 million and a 7% decline in ApplianceSmart same-store sales. Retail segment revenues accounted for 60% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2013 compared with 68% in the same period of 2012. Recycling segment revenues and retail segment revenues each include a portion of byproduct revenues.  The recycling segment accounts for approximately 95% of the byproduct revenues. The increase

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in replacement program revenues impacted the overall mix of revenues between the retail and recycling segments for the first quarter of 2013 compared with same period of 2012.

 Our total operating income of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2013 increased $0.3 million compared with $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase was related primarily to the increase in replacement revenues and improvement in our ApplianceSmart gross margin. These factors were partially offset by a decline in AAP’s gross margin, including lower steel scrap prices, and higher transportation costs in our recycling segment.

Revenues.  Revenues for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012		% Change
Retail	$	18.0	$	19.7	(9	)%
Recycling	8.3		5.3		58	%
Byproduct	4.1		4.4		(8	)%
	$	30.4	$	29.4	3	%

Retail Revenues.  Our retail revenues of $18.0 million for the first quarter of 2013 decreased $1.7 million or 9% from $19.7 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The decrease in retail revenues was due primarily to a 7% decrease in same-store sales along with the closure of two under performing stores in October and December of 2012. We believe the factors leading to the decline in same-store sales included a delay in the 2012 income tax refunds and negative impact of shifting the Easter holiday into the first quarter of 2013. We are developing strategies for other underperforming stores and stores with leases that expire in the current year with a range of outcomes from right-sizing the showroom space to closure. We expect to close one store in May as a result of not renewing the lease.

Recycling Revenues.  Our recycling revenues of $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2013 increased $3.0 million or 58% from $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2012.  Recycling revenues are comprised of two components: (1) appliance recycling revenues generated by collecting and recycling appliances for utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs and (2) replacement program revenues generated by recycling and replacing old appliances with new energy efficient models for programs sponsored by utility companies.  Appliance recycling revenues decreased 25% to $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared with $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2012, due primarily to lower volumes and price compression within certain contracts.  The number of units driving our appliance recycling revenues declined 18% and the average revenue per unit declined by $7 compared with the same quarter last year.  Replacement program revenues increased 169% to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared with $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2012, due primarily to higher volumes and the mix of washer and refrigerator replacements.  Replacement program units increased 119% and we experienced a higher mix of washer replacements compared with the same quarter last year.  Washer replacements generate a higher revenue per unit compared with refrigerator replacements and as a result the average revenue per unit under our replacement programs increased by $96.

Byproduct Revenues.  Our byproduct revenues of $4.1 million for the first quarter of 2013 decreased $0.3 million or 8% from $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The decrease in byproduct revenues was primarily the result of a 4% decline in our overall recycling and replacement units and a decline in steel scrap prices generating revenues at AAP. Byproduct revenues include all of the revenues generated by AAP.  AAP revenues of $2.6 million decreased $0.1 million compared with the first quarter of 2012, due primarily to a decline in average steel scrap prices of 14% per gross ton compared with the same period last year. During the first quarter of 2013, we did not recognize any carbon offset revenues. ARCA, combined with AAP, expects to recognize approximately $0.8 million in carbon offset revenues later in 2013 pending the transfer and verification of the carbon offsets in the California system.  We continue to reclaim and store refrigerants and expect to generate carbon offset revenues in the future although the frequency of these transactions will vary based on volume levels and market conditions.

Gross Profit.  During the first quarter of 2013, we reclassified certain revenues, cost of revenues and sales, general and administrative expenses due to further industry analysis and conformed the 2012 presentation. The reclassification is related primarily to facilities costs and certain other costs not directly related to the production of recycled materials within the recycling segment. Our gross profit of $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2013 was flat compared with the first quarter of 2012.  Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 26% for the first quarter of 2013 compared with 27% in the first quarter of 2012.  The decline in overall gross profit percentage was due primarily to lower byproduct revenues, including the decline in steel scrap prices generating AAP revenues described above.  Gross profit percentage for the recycling segment decreased to 24% for the first quarter of 2013 compared with 27% for the first quarter of 2012.  Gross profit percentage for the retail segment increased to 28% for the first

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quarter of 2013 compared with 27% for the first quarter of 2012.  The increase for the retail segment was due primarily to a shift in product mix to higher margin producing out-of-carton appliances.

Our gross profit as a percentage of total revenues for future periods can be affected favorably or unfavorably by numerous factors, including:

1. The mix of retail products we sell.

2. The prices at which we purchase product from the major manufacturers that supply product to us.

3. The volume of appliances we receive through our recycling contracts.

4. The volume and price of byproduct materials.

5. The volume and price of carbon offset sales created by the destruction of ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the first quarter of 2013 decreased $0.4 million to $7.5 million compared with $7.9 million for the same period of the prior year.  Our SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 25% in the first quarter of 2013 compared with 27% in the first quarter of 2012.  Selling expenses decreased $0.1 million to $4.6 million or 15% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2013 compared with $4.7 million or 16% of total revenues for the first quarter of 2012.  The decrease in selling expenses was due primarily to closing the two ApplianceSmart stores mentioned previously.  General and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million to $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2013 compared with $3.2 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The decrease was due primarily to lower administrative expenses within our recycling segment. During the first quarter of 2013, we completed several restructuring activities including the elimination of 19 employees. The position eliminations will generate an annualized savings of approximately $0.8 million but were offset in the first quarter due to recognizing one-time related restructuring charges.

Interest expense, net: In connection with our amended Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, we project that the interest rate on our line of credit will increase by 300 basis points and 100 basis points on our term loan. We have the ability to reduce the interest rates if we meet certain interest rate reduction criteria starting January 31, 2014 in the amended Credit Agreement. See the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section for more detail.

Provision for Income Taxes.  We did not record a provision for (benefit of) income taxes in the first quarter of 2013. We estimate that we will be able to use available net operating losses (NOLs) to offset taxes related to our projected full-year taxable income. Due to uncertainties regarding the realization of deferred tax assets related to the 2013 utilization of NOLs, we are continuing to carry a full valuation allowance against the NOL deferred tax assets.

Noncontrolling Interest.  Noncontrolling interest represents 4301’s share of AAP’s net loss.  Under the AAP joint venture agreement, ARCA and 4301 each have a 50% interest in AAP.  AAP reported a net loss of $110,000 for the first quarter of 2013, of which $55,000 represented the loss attributable to noncontrolling interest.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary.  Cash and cash equivalents as of March 30, 2013 were $3.9 million compared with $3.2 million as of December 29, 2012.  Working capital, the excess of current assets over current liabilities, decreased to $7.1 million as of March 30, 2013 compared with $7.6 million as of December 29, 2012.  The decline was primarily the result of an increase in accrued liabilities and the net impact of lower appliance inventory and a reduced line of credit balance.

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 (in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Total cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	4.3		$	1.8
Investing activities	(0.5		)	(0.4		)
Financing activities	(3.0		)	(1.9		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(0.1		)	0.1
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	0.7		$	(0.4	)

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Operating Activities.  Our net cash provided by operating activities was $4.3 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared with $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  The change in operating cash was primarily the result of generating cash by lowering our appliance inventory.

Investing Activities.  Our net cash used in investing activities was $0.5 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared with $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 30, 2013 was related primarily to an increase in restricted cash as a result of a reserve required by our credit card processor.  The net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was due entirely to the purchase of property and equipment.

Financing Activities.  Our net cash used in financing activities was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared with $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Net cash used in financing activities for both the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 was related primarily to net payments under our line of credit and the repayment of long-term debt obligations.

Sources of Liquidity.Our principal sources of liquidity are cash from operations and borrowings under our revolving line of credit. Our principal liquidity requirements consist of long-term debt obligations, capital expenditures and working capital. Our total capital requirements for the next twelve months will depend upon, among other things, the number and size of ApplianceSmart stores operating during the period, the recycling volumes generated from recycling contracts during the period and our needs related to AAP.  Currently, we have 18 ApplianceSmart stores and 11 recycling centers, including AAP, in operation.

We believe, based on the anticipated sales per retail store, the anticipated revenues from our recycling contracts and our anticipated gross profit, that our cash balance, anticipated funds generated from operations and our revolving line of credit will be sufficient to finance our operations, long-term debt obligations and capital expenditures through at least the next twelve months. We may also need additional capital to finance our operations if our revenues are lower than anticipated, our expenses are higher than anticipated or we pursue new opportunities. Sources of additional financing, if needed in the future, may include further debt financing or the sale of equity (Common or Preferred Stock) or other financing opportunities. There can be no assurance that such additional sources of financing will be available on terms satisfactory to us or permitted by our Credit Agreement.

Outstanding Indebtedness.  On January 24, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) that provides us with a $15.0 million revolving line of credit.  The Credit Agreement has a stated maturity date of January 24, 2016, if not renewed.  The Credit Agreement is collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and PNC is also secured by an inventory repurchase agreement with Whirlpool Corporation for Whirlpool purchases only.  We also issued a $750,000 letter of credit in favor of Whirlpool Corporation.  The Credit Agreement requires starting with the fiscal quarter ending December 28, 2013 and continuing at the end of each quarter thereafter, that we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, measured on a trailing twelve-month basis.  The Credit Agreement limits investments we can purchase, the amount of other debt and leases we can incur, the amount of loans we can issue to our affiliates and the amount we can spend on fixed assets along with prohibiting the payment of dividends.  The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is PNC Base Rate plus 2.75%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 1.75%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 2.75%.  The PNC Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by PNC at its prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (1%).  As of March 30, 2013, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $7.8 million with a weighted average interest rate of 6.00%, which included only PNC Base Rate loans.  As of December 29, 2012, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $10.6 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.07%, which included both PNC LIBOR Rate and PNC Base Rate loans.  The amount of revolving borrowings under the Credit Agreement is based on a formula using accounts receivable and inventories.  We may not have access to the full $15.0 million revolving line of credit due to the formula using accounts receivable and inventories, the amount of the letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation and the amount of outstanding loans between PNC and our AAP joint venture.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, our available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement was $3.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

On March 14, 2013, we executed the third amendment to the Credit Agreement that extended the agreement from January 24, 2014 until January 24, 2016, waived our prior “events of default,” reset our financial covenants and increased our interest rate, among other things. The material amended terms under the Credit Agreement are as follows:

• We must meet monthly minimum EBITDA requirements set forth in the amendment through 2013. We reported EBITDA as defined by the Credit Agreement of $649,000 for the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared with the minimum covenant of negative $1,373,000.

20

• The affiliate loan balance must be reduced by $40,000 per month in 2013 and the affiliate loan balance will be capped at $300,000 on January 25, 2014, and thereafter. As of March 30, 2013 our outstanding affiliate loan balance was $669,000 compared with the covenant of the same amount.

• Starting on December 28, 2013, we must meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 for the nine months then ended and on a trailing twelve-month basis beginning with the period ending March 30, 2014, and each quarter thereafter.

• The interest rate spread on our Revolving Loan and Term Loan increased 100 basis points for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. We are not eligible to borrow under 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans until certain Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met as set forth in the amendment, which include meeting all financial covenants during 2013. If these Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met, we will also be able to remove the 100 basis point increase for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. The earliest the Interest Rate Reduction conditions could be met is January 31, 2014.

• A prepayment penalty will be assessed at 3% during the first year of the third amendment to our Credit Agreement, 2% during the second year and 1% during the third year. 

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a $2.55 million Term Loan (“Term Loan”) with PNC Bank to refinance the mortgage on our California facility.  The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default or termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: 119 consecutive monthly principal payments of $21,000 plus interest commencing on February 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter followed by a 120th payment of all unpaid principal, interest and fees on February 1, 2021. If the Revolving Credit Agreement is not renewed a balloon payment of $1.28 million in principal plus interest and additional fees will be due on January 24, 2016. The Term Loan is collateralized with our California facility located in Compton, California. The interest rate is PNC Base Rate plus 3.25%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 2.25%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 3.25%.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.50% and 5.50%, respectively.

On March 10, 2011, ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC entered into three separate commercial term loans (“AAP Term Loans”) with Susquehanna Bank, pursuant to the guidelines of the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program.  The total amount of the AAP Term Loans is $4.75 million, split into three separate loans for $2.1 million; $1.4 million; and $1.25 million.  The AAP Term Loans mature in ten years and bear an interest rate of Prime plus 2.75%.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.00%.  Borrowings under the AAP Term Loans are secured by substantially all of the assets of AAP along with liens on the business assets and certain personal assets of the owners of 4301 Operations, LLC. We are a guarantor of the AAP Term Loans along with 4301 Operations, LLC and its owners.

The following table summarizes our borrowings as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in millions):

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Line of credit	$	7.8	$	10.6
PNC Bank Term Loan	2.0		2.0
Susquehanna Bank Term Loans (1)	4.1		4.2
Other financing obligations and loans (1)	0.9		0.9
Capital leases and other financing obligations	0.2		0.2
	15.0		17.9
Less: current portion of debt	8.8		11.5
	$	6.2	$	6.4

⁽¹⁾ Represents notes from consolidating AAP.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk and Impact of Inflation

Interest Rate Risk.  We do not believe there is any significant risk related to interest rate fluctuations on our long-term fixed-rate debt.  There is interest rate risk on the line of credit, PNC Term Loan and Susquehanna Bank Term Loans, since our interest rate floats.  The outstanding balance on our floating rate loans as of March 30, 2013 was approximately $13.8 million.  Based on

21

average floating rate borrowings of $15.3 million, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in the applicable interest rate would have caused our interest expense to change by approximately $38,000 for the three months ended March 30, 2013.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.  We currently generate revenues in Canada.  The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is U.S. dollars.  It is not possible to determine the exact impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes; however, the effect on reported revenue and net earnings can be estimated.  We estimate that the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar had an immaterial impact on the revenues and net income for the three months ended March 30, 2013.  We do not currently hedge foreign currency fluctuations and do not intend to do so for the foreseeable future.

We do not hold any derivative financial instruments nor do we hold any securities for trading or speculative purposes.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), at March 30, 2013. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at March 30, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

22

PART II.        Other Information

Item 1.            Legal Proceedings

In December 2012, we ceased operations at our Conyers, Georgia, facility and abandoned the leased property. We believe the landlord has relet the property to a new tenant. Nonetheless, the landlord has made a claim of approximately $500,000 against us based upon lease termination negotiations that had been progressing between the parties but ended. The landlord has filed a claim for breach of settlement in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia. We are confident that we will successfully defend the claim made by the landlord as a result of the likely reletting of the property to a new tenant and we believe the possibility of a material loss is remote.

In February 2012, various individuals commenced a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) and various distributors of Whirlpool products, including Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and us, alleging certain appliances sold by Whirlpool through its distribution chain, which includes us, were improperly designated with the ENERGY STAR^® qualification rating established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.  The claims against us include breach of warranty claims, as well as various state consumer protection claims.  The amount of the claim is, as yet, undetermined.  Whirlpool has offered to fully indemnify and defend its distributors in this lawsuit, including us, and has engaged defense counsel to defend itself and the distributors.  We are monitoring Whirlpool’s defense of the claims and believe the possibility of a material loss is remote.

In 2007, we entered into an agreement with AMTIM Capital, Inc. (“AMTIM”) to act as our representative to market our recycling services in Canada under an arrangement that pays AMTIM for revenues generated by recycling services in Canada as set forth in the agreement between the parties.  A dispute has arisen between AMTIM and us with respect to the calculation of amounts due to AMTIM pursuant to the agreement.  AMTIM claims a discrepancy in the calculation of fees due to AMTIM by us of more than $600,000 as of mid-2010.  We commenced an action in the U.S. District Court for a determination of the parties’ rights under the agreement.  AMTIM started its own action in Ontario, Canada, against us for amounts it claims are due pursuant to the agreement.  We moved the Canadian court for a stay of that action pending the U.S. action.  AMTIM requested the U.S. District Court to stay the U.S. action pending resolution of the Canadian court action.  AMTIM’s motion was denied by the U.S. District Court and as a result we obtained a default judgment against AMTIM approving the manner in which we have historically calculated fees due to AMTIM.  Shortly thereafter, the Canadian court dismissed our motion to stay the Canadian action.  We are currently pursuing an appeal of the court’s ruling in the Canadian action on the grounds that the issues between the parties have already been determined by the U.S. District Court, precluding any further litigation. Although the outcome is uncertain, we believe the possibility of a material loss is remote.

We are party from time to time to other ordinary course disputes that we do not believe to be material.

Item 2.            Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.            Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 5.            Other Information

None.

23

Item 6.            Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
31.1+	Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2+	Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1†	Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2†	Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101**	The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended March 30, 2013, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (v) document and entity information.

+  Filed herewith.

†  Furnished herewith.

** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed part of a registration statement, prospectus or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filings.

24

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:	APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
May 9, 2013	(Registrant)
	By	/s/ Edward R. Cameron
		Edward R. Cameron
		President and Chief Executive Officer
	By	/s/ Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Chief Financial Officer

25

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, Edward R. Cameron, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of and for the periods presented in this report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 9, 2013	/s/ Edward R. Cameron
		Edward R. Cameron
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS:

I, Jeffrey A. Cammerrer, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of and for the periods presented in this report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 9, 2013	/s/ Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned Chief Executive Officer of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	May 9, 2013	/s/ Edward R. Cameron
		Edward R. Cameron
		President and Chief Executive Officer

* A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned Chief Financial Officer of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	May 9, 2013	/s/ Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Jeffrey A. Cammerrer
		Chief Financial Officer

* A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	$ 0	$ (77)
Percentage of likelihood of realization that the tax position must exceed in order for the amount to be recognized	50.00%

XML

Other Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 14, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Goodwill		$ 38		$ 38
Deposits		400		376
Recycling contract, net		240		259
Debt issuance costs, net		370		279
Patent costs		21		21
Total		1,069		973
Amortization expense related to recycling contract		20	20
Non-cash interest expense related to debt issuance costs		49	49
Debt issuance cost incurred	140
Payment of debt issuance costs		$ 42	$ 0

XML

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013 W state	Mar. 31, 2012 W
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
Interest in a joint venture (as a percent)	50.00%
Number of states generating recyclable appliances	12
Number of weeks reflected in operating results	13	13
Term of contractual agreement between GE and the entity	6 years
4301
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
Interest in a joint venture (as a percent)	50.00%

XML

Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013 segment		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Information
Revenues	$ 30,424		$ 29,444
Operating income (loss)	425		84
Assets	40,204	[1]	47,218	41,804	[1]
Cash capital expenditures	45		350
Depreciation and amortization	337		303
Interest Expense	283		254
Interest Expense	(283)		(255)
Number of reportable segments	2
Retail
Segment Information
Revenues	18,321		20,071
Operating income (loss)	(182)		102
Assets	19,227		21,773
Cash capital expenditures	0		39
Depreciation and amortization	53		57
Interest Expense	112		81
Recycling
Segment Information
Revenues	12,103		9,373
Operating income (loss)	792		(37)
Assets	15,010		18,998
Cash capital expenditures	2		50
Depreciation and amortization	194		144
Interest Expense	91		121
Unallocated corporate
Segment Information
Operating income (loss)	(185)		19
Assets	5,967		6,447
Cash capital expenditures	43		261
Depreciation and amortization	90		102
Interest Expense	$ 80		$ 53

[1] Assets of ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (AAP), our consolidated variable interest entity (VIE), that can only be used to settle obligations of AAP were $9,762 and $10,045 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. Liabilities of AAP for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. were $1,922 and $1,948 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

XML

Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2013 AAP	Dec. 29, 2012 AAP	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building	Dec. 29, 2012 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building	Feb. 28, 2011 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building PNC payment	Jan. 30, 2011 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building PNC	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building PNC	Dec. 29, 2012 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building PNC	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building Base Rate PNC	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building Base Rate, Condition One PNC	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loan, due in monthly installments of $21, plus interest, due February 2021, collateralized by land and building LIBOR Rate PNC	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment	Dec. 29, 2012 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment	Mar. 30, 2011 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment Susquehanna Bank AAP loan	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment Susquehanna Bank AAP	Dec. 29, 2012 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment Base Rate Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2013 Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment Prime Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2011 Debt instrument term loan one Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2011 Debt instrument term loan two Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2011 Debt instrument term loan three Susquehanna Bank AAP	Mar. 30, 2013 2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment	Dec. 29, 2012 2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment	Mar. 30, 2013 10.00% note, due in monthly installments of $10, including interest, due December 2014	Dec. 29, 2012 10.00% note, due in monthly installments of $10, including interest, due December 2014	Mar. 30, 2013 Capital leases and other financing obligations	Dec. 29, 2012 Capital leases and other financing obligations
Borrowings
Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations	$ 7,187,000	$ 7,312,000			$ 1,976,000	$ 2,040,000								$ 4,088,000	$ 4,154,000									$ 404,000	$ 411,000	$ 248,000	$ 280,000	$ 471,000	$ 427,000
Less current maturities	1,037,000	955,000	723,000	635,000
Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations, less current maturities	6,150,000	6,357,000	4,307,000	4,437,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)																								2.75%		10.00%
Monthly installments							21,000							54,000										3,000		13,000
Balloon Payment										1,275,000
Term loan to refinance the existing mortgage								2,550,000								4,750,000					2,100,000	1,400,000	1,250,000
Number of consecutive monthly principal payments plus interest							119
Interest rate	one-month LIBOR rate										PNC Base Rate		1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate							Prime
Interest rate margin (as a percent)											3.25%	2.25%	3.25%						2.75%
Interest rate at the end of the period (as a percent)									6.50%	5.50%							6.00%	6.00%
Number of separate commercial term loans entered into during period																3
Term Loans maturity period (in years)																10 years
Capital leases and other financing obligations
Cost of equipment acquired under capital leases and other financing obligations																												1,955,000	1,969,000
Accumulated amortization																												$ 1,581,000	$ 1,574,000

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Other Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other assets as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Goodwill	$	38	$	38
Deposits	400		376
Recycling contract, net	240		259
Debt issuance costs, net	370		279
Patent costs	21		21
	$	1,069	$	973

For the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we recorded amortization expense of $20 for both periods related to our recycling contract.  For the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we recorded non-cash interest expense of $49 for both periods related to debt issuance costs. In connection with the third amendment to our Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, N.A. executed on March 14, 2013, we incurred additional debt issuance costs of $140 with $42 paid as of March 30, 2013. The additional debt issuance costs were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement along with the remaining balance of the previously capitalized costs. See Note 6 for further discussion regarding the amended Credit Agreement entered into with PNC.

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Changes in warranty accrual
Beginning Balance	$ 47	$ 71
Standard accrual based on units sold	11	12
Actual costs incurred	(4)	(4)
Periodic accrual adjustments	(12)	(13)
Ending Balance	$ 42	$ 66

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified											3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2013 Land	Dec. 29, 2012 Land	Mar. 30, 2013 Buildings and improvements	Dec. 29, 2012 Buildings and improvements	Mar. 30, 2013 Equipment (including computer software)	Dec. 29, 2012 Equipment (including computer software)	Mar. 30, 2013 Projects under construction	Dec. 29, 2012 Projects under construction	Mar. 30, 2013 Software development costs	Mar. 31, 2012 Software development costs
Property and equipment
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 24,652	$ 24,790	$ 1,140	$ 1,140	$ 3,277	$ 3,429	$ 20,154	$ 20,158	$ 81	$ 63
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(12,706)	(12,542)
Property plant and equipment, net	11,946	12,248
Estimated useful life											3 years
Costs capitalized											$ 24	$ 49

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Estimated forfeiture rate, minimum (as a percent)	0.00%
Estimated forfeiture rate, maximum (as a percent)	5.00%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)	0.00%
Share-based compensation expense recognized	$ 4	$ 36

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Basic and diluted income per share
Options and warrants excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	556
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ 184	$ (66)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	5,556	5,537
Employee stock options (in shares)	0	0
Stock warrants (in shares)	122	0
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	5,678	5,537
Income per share:
Basic (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)

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Variable Interest Entity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Variable Interest Entity

Variable Interest Entity

Variable Interest Entity

The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity and because we have the ability to significantly influence the economic performance of the entity through our contractual agreement with GE.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of AAP as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Assets
Current assets	$	664	$	787
Property and equipment, net	8,952		9,109
Other assets	146		149
Total Assets	$	9,762	$	10,045
Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	719	$	826
Accrued expenses	261		204
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations	723		635
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	4,307		4,437
Other liabilities (a)	669		749
Total Liabilities	$	6,679	$	6,851

(a) Other liabilities represent loans between ARCA and AAP that are eliminated in consolidation.

The following table summarizes the operating results of AAP for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues	$	2,577		$	2,720
Gross profit	316			522
Operating income (loss)	(53		)	65
Net loss	(110		)	(22		)

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Variable Interest Entity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Variable Interest Entity, Classification of Carrying Amount, Assets
Current assets	$ 26,665			$ 28,558
Property and equipment, net	11,946			12,248
Other assets	1,069			973
Total	9,762			10,045
Liabilities
Accounts payable	5,449			4,957
Accrued expenses	5,179			4,310
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations	1,037			955
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	6,150			6,357
Total	1,922			1,948
Operating results of AAP
Revenues	30,424		29,444
Gross profit (loss)	7,910		7,944
Operating income (loss)	425		84
Net loss	129		(77)
AAP
Variable Interest Entity, Classification of Carrying Amount, Assets
Current assets	664			787
Property and equipment, net	8,952			9,109
Other assets	146			149
Total	9,762			10,045
Liabilities
Accounts payable	719			826
Accrued expenses	261			204
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations	723			635
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	4,307			4,437
Other liabilities	669	[1]		749	[1]
Total	6,679			6,851
Operating results of AAP
Revenues	2,577		2,720
Gross profit (loss)	316		522
Operating income (loss)	(53)		65
Net loss	$ (110)		$ (22)

[1] Other liabilities represent loans between ARCA and AAP that are eliminated in consolidation.

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Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified				0 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013 2011 Plan	Mar. 30, 2013 Stock options 2011 Plan	May 10, 2012 Stock options 2011 Plan Director	May 10, 2012 Stock options 2011 Plan Employees	Mar. 30, 2013 Stock options 2006 Plan	Mar. 30, 2013 Stock options 1997 Plan	Oct. 21, 2009 Warrant [Member] Minimum [Member]	Oct. 21, 2009 Warrant [Member] Maximum
Shareholders' Equity
Maximum number of shares of common stock which can be issued		700,000
Vesting period				6 months	2 years
Options outstanding (in shares)			52,000			473,000	8,000
Warrants outstanding	$ 278
Exercise price of warrants								0.73	3.55

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,925		$ 3,174
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $12 and $8, respectively	6,826		6,256
Inventories, net of reserves of $504 and $682, respectively	14,395		17,274
Income taxes receivable	518		522
Other current assets	1,001		1,332
Total current assets	26,665		28,558
Property and equipment, net	11,946		12,248
Restricted cash	500		0
Other assets	1,069		973
Deferred income taxes	24		25
Total assets	40,204	[1]	41,804	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,449		4,957
Accrued expenses	5,179		4,310
Line of credit	7,769		10,559
Current maturities of long-term obligations	1,037		955
Deferred income tax liability	146		146
Total current liabilities	19,580		20,927
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	6,150		6,357
Deferred gain, net of current portion	244		365
Deferred income tax liabilities	921		921
Total liabilities	26,895	[1]	28,570	[1]
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 5,556 shares and 5,527 shares, respectively	20,581		20,577
Accumulated deficit	(8,465)		(8,649)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(348)		(290)
Total shareholders' equity	11,768		11,638
Noncontrolling interest	1,541		1,596
Total equity	13,309		13,234
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 40,204		$ 41,804

[1] Assets of ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (AAP), our consolidated variable interest entity (VIE), that can only be used to settle obligations of AAP were $9,762 and $10,045 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. Liabilities of AAP for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. were $1,922 and $1,948 as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and subsidiaries (“we,” the “Company” or “ARCA”) are in the business of providing turnkey appliance recycling and replacement services for electric utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs.  We also sell new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart^®.  In addition, we have a 50% interest in a joint venture operating under the name ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”), which recycles appliances from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States for General Electric Company (“GE”) acting through its GE Appliances business component.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial information and Article 8 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, normal and recurring adjustments and accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation for the periods indicated have been included.  Operating results for the three-month periods ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 are presented using 13-week periods.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2012 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2013.

Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

ApplianceSmart, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed through a corporate reorganization in July 2011 to hold our business of selling new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned retail stores.  ARCA Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in September 2006 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs.  ARCA Recycling, Inc., a California corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in November 1991 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility efficiency programs.  The operating results of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are consolidated in our financial statements.

AAP is a joint venture that was formed in October 2009 between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”) to support ARCA’s agreement, as amended, with GE acting through its GE Appliances business component.  Both ARCA and 4301 have a 50% interest in AAP.  GE sells its recyclable appliances generated from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States to ARCA, which collects, processes and recycles the appliances.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.  The agreement requires that ARCA will only recycle, and will not sell for re-use or resale, the recyclable appliances purchased from GE.  AAP established a regional processing center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at which the recyclable appliances are processed.  The term of the agreement is for 6 years from the first date of appliance collection, which was March 31, 2010.  AAP commenced operations in February 2010 and has the exclusive rights to service the GE agreement as a subcontractor for ARCA.  The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity and because we have the ability to significantly influence the economic performance of the entity through our contractual agreement with GE.

Reclassifications:  The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) include the reclassification of prior year revenues, cost of revenues and sales, general and administrative expenses related to AAP to conform with the current year presentation. The reclassification is related primarily to facilities costs and certain other costs not directly related to the production of recycled materials from cost of revenues to sales, general and administrative expenses.

Fair value of financial instruments:  The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable:  Due to their nature and short-term maturities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Short- and long-term debt:  The fair value of short- and long-term debt approximates carrying value and has been estimated based on discounted cash flows using interest rates being offered for similar debt having the same or similar remaining maturities and collateral requirements.

No separate comparison of fair values versus carrying values is presented for the aforementioned financial instruments since their fair values are not significantly different than their balance sheet carrying amounts.  In addition, the aggregate fair values of the financial instruments would not represent the underlying value of our Company.

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Line of Credit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Line of Credit
Interest rate on the revolving line of credit	one-month LIBOR rate
Outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement	$ 7,769,000	$ 10,559,000
Revolving line of credit | PNC
Line of Credit
Amount of revolving line of credit	15,000,000
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	1.10
Trailing period for measurement of fixed charge coverage ratio (in months)	12 months
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	1.75%
Outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement	7,769,000	10,559,000
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%	3.07%
Available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement	3,806,000	2,531,000
Revolving line of credit | PNC | Base Rate
Line of Credit
Interest rate on the revolving line of credit	PNC Base Rate
Increase in interest rate spread	1.00%
Prepayment penalty percent year one	3.00%
Prepayment penalty percent year two	2.00%
Prepayment penalty percent year three	1.00%
Revolving line of credit | PNC | Base Rate, Condition One
Line of Credit
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.75%
Revolving line of credit | PNC | LIBOR Rate
Line of Credit
Interest rate on the revolving line of credit	1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.75%
Revolving line of credit | PNC | Federal Funds Open Rate
Line of Credit
Interest rate on the revolving line of credit	Federal Funds Open Rate
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	0.50%
Revolving line of credit | PNC | One month LIBOR rate
Line of Credit
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	1.00%
Letter of credit | PNC
Line of Credit
Letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation	750,000
AAP | Revolving line of credit | PNC | Base Rate
Line of Credit
Monthly installments	40,000
Maximum | AAP | Revolving line of credit | PNC | Base Rate
Line of Credit
Due to affiliate	$ 300,000

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Accrued Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued expenses

Accrued expenses as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Compensation and benefits	$	1,332	$	963
Accrued incentive and rebate checks	549		563
Accrued rent	1,291		1,383
Warranty expense	42		47
Accrued payables	365		307
Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback of building	487		487
Deferred revenue	167		157
Other	946		403
	$	5,179	$	4,310

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Deferred Gain (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 25, 2009
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred gain of sale-leaseback transaction			$ 2,436
Initial lease period for amortization of deferred gain (in years)	5 years
Amortization of deferred gain	$ 121	$ 122

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of segment information

The following tables present our segment information for periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	$	18,321		$	20,071
Recycling	12,103			9,373
Total revenues	$	30,424		$	29,444
Operating income:
Retail	$	(182	)	$	102
Recycling	792			(37		)
Unallocated corporate	(185		)	19
Total operating income	$	425		$	84
Assets:
Retail	$	19,227		$	21,773
Recycling	15,010			18,998
Corporate assets not allocable	5,967			6,447
Total assets	$	40,204		$	47,218
Cash capital expenditures:
Retail	$	—		$	39
Recycling	2			50
Corporate assets not allocable	43			261
Total cash capital expenditures	$	45		$	350
Depreciation and amortization:
Retail	$	53		$	57
Recycling	194			144
Unallocated corporate	90			102
Total depreciation and amortization	$	337		$	303
Interest expense:
Retail	$	112		$	81
Recycling	91			121
Unallocated corporate	80			53
Total interest expense	$	283		$	255

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Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

Trade receivables: We carry unsecured trade receivables at the original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a monthly review of all outstanding amounts.  Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.  We write off trade receivables when we deem them uncollectible.  We record recoveries of trade receivables previously written off when we receive them.  We consider a trade receivable to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for more than ninety days.  We do not charge interest on past due receivables.  Our management considers the allowance for doubtful accounts of $12 and $8 to be adequate to cover any exposure to loss at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Inventories:  Inventories, consisting principally of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market and consist of:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Appliances held for resale	$	14,598		$	17,768
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale	301			188
Less provision for inventory obsolescence	(504		)	(682		)
	$	14,395		$	17,274

We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustments to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions.  We look at historical inventory agings and margin analysis in determining our provision estimate.  A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded.

Property and equipment:  Property and equipment consists of the following:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Land	$	1,140		$	1,140
Buildings and improvements	3,277			3,429
Equipment (including computer software)	20,154			20,158
Projects under construction	81			63
	24,652			24,790
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(12,706		)	(12,542		)
	$	11,946		$	12,248

Software development costs:  We capitalize software developed for internal use and are amortizing such costs over their estimated useful lives of three years.  Costs capitalized were $24 and $49 for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

Restricted cash:  Restricted cash consisted of a reserve required by our bankcard processor to cover chargebacks, adjustments, fees and other charges that may be due from us.

Product warranty:  We provide a warranty for the replacement or repair of certain defective units which varies based on the product sold.  Our standard warranty policy requires us to repair or replace certain defective units at no cost to our customers.  We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty and record an accrual in the amount of such costs at the time we recognize product revenue.  Factors that affect our warranty accrual for covered units include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on these units, and the cost of such claims.  We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty accrual and adjust the amounts as necessary.

Changes in our warranty accrual are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Beginning Balance	$	47		$	71
Standard accrual based on units sold	11			12
Actual costs incurred	(4		)	(4		)
Periodic accrual adjustments	(12		)	(13		)
Ending Balance	$	42		$	66

Share-based compensation:  We recognize share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for all share-based awards granted.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of awards at the grant date.  We calculate the expected volatility for stock awards using historical volatility.  We estimate a 0%-5% forfeiture rate for stock awards issued to all employees and members of the Board of Directors, but will continue to review these estimates in future periods.  The risk-free rates for the expected terms of the stock awards are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  The expected life represents the period that the stock awards are expected to be outstanding.  The expected dividend yield is zero as we have not paid or declared any cash dividends on our Common Stock.  Based on these valuations, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $4 and $36 for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, respectively.  We do not have any remaining expense for fiscal 2013 based on the value of stock awards outstanding as of March 30, 2013.  However, we may have expense if additional awards are granted during 2013.

Comprehensive income (loss):  Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to shareholders’ equity.  Our other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:  Basic income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued.  Potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock include unexercised stock options and warrants.  Basic per share amounts are computed, generally, by dividing net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential Common Stock instruments unless their effect is anti-dilutive, thereby reducing the loss or increasing the income per common share.  In calculating diluted weighted average shares and per share amounts, we included stock options and warrants with exercise prices below average market prices, for the respective reporting periods in which they were dilutive, using the treasury stock method.  We calculated the number of additional shares by assuming the outstanding stock options were exercised and that the proceeds from such exercises were used to acquire Common Stock at the average market price during the quarter.  For the three months ended March 30, 2013, we excluded 556 options from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation as the effect of these options were anti-dilutive.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we excluded all options and warrants from the diluted weighted average share outstanding calculation as the effect of these options and warrants were anti-dilutive due to the net loss incurred.

A reconciliation of the denominator in the basic and diluted income or loss per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$	184	$	(66	)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic	5,556		5,537
Employee stock options	—		—
Stock warrants	122		—
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted	5,678		5,537
Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)
Diluted	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 12	$ 8
Inventories, reserves	504	682
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000	10,000
Common Stock, issued shares (in shares)	5,556	5,556
Common Stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	5,556	5,556
Assets of the consolidated variable interest entity	9,762	10,045
Liabilities of the consolidated variable interest entity	$ 1,922	$ 1,948

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

We operate within targeted markets through two reportable segments: retail and recycling.  The retail segment is comprised of income generated through our ApplianceSmart stores, which includes appliance sales and byproduct revenues from collected appliances.  The recycling segment includes all fees charged and costs incurred for collecting, recycling and installing appliances for utilities and other customers and includes byproduct revenue, which is primarily generated through the recycling of appliances. We have included the results from consolidating AAP in our recycling segment.  The nature of products, services and customers for both segments varies significantly.  As such, the segments are managed separately.  Our Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).  The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources based on revenues and income from operations of each segment.  Income from operations represents revenues less cost of revenues and operating expenses, including certain allocated selling, general and administrative costs.  There are no inter-segment sales or transfers.

The following tables present our segment information for periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	$	18,321		$	20,071
Recycling	12,103			9,373
Total revenues	$	30,424		$	29,444
Operating income:
Retail	$	(182	)	$	102
Recycling	792			(37		)
Unallocated corporate	(185		)	19
Total operating income	$	425		$	84
Assets:
Retail	$	19,227		$	21,773
Recycling	15,010			18,998
Corporate assets not allocable	5,967			6,447
Total assets	$	40,204		$	47,218
Cash capital expenditures:
Retail	$	—		$	39
Recycling	2			50
Corporate assets not allocable	43			261
Total cash capital expenditures	$	45		$	350
Depreciation and amortization:
Retail	$	53		$	57
Recycling	194			144
Unallocated corporate	90			102
Total depreciation and amortization	$	337		$	303
Interest expense:
Retail	$	112		$	81
Recycling	91			121
Unallocated corporate	80			53
Total interest expense	$	283		$	255

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Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	May 07, 2013
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA INC /MN
Entity Central Index Key	0000862861
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,555,927

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of business and basis of presentation

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and subsidiaries (“we,” the “Company” or “ARCA”) are in the business of providing turnkey appliance recycling and replacement services for electric utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs.  We also sell new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart^®.  In addition, we have a 50% interest in a joint venture operating under the name ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”), which recycles appliances from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States for General Electric Company (“GE”) acting through its GE Appliances business component.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial information and Article 8 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, normal and recurring adjustments and accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation for the periods indicated have been included.  Operating results for the three-month periods ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012 are presented using 13-week periods.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2012 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2013.

Principles of consolidation

Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

ApplianceSmart, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed through a corporate reorganization in July 2011 to hold our business of selling new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned retail stores.  ARCA Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in September 2006 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs.  ARCA Recycling, Inc., a California corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed in November 1991 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility efficiency programs.  The operating results of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are consolidated in our financial statements.

AAP is a joint venture that was formed in October 2009 between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”) to support ARCA’s agreement, as amended, with GE acting through its GE Appliances business component.  Both ARCA and 4301 have a 50% interest in AAP.  GE sells its recyclable appliances generated from twelve states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States to ARCA, which collects, processes and recycles the appliances.  These appliances include units manufactured by GE as well as by other manufacturers.  The agreement requires that ARCA will only recycle, and will not sell for re-use or resale, the recyclable appliances purchased from GE.  AAP established a regional processing center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at which the recyclable appliances are processed.  The term of the agreement is for 6 years from the first date of appliance collection, which was March 31, 2010.  AAP commenced operations in February 2010 and has the exclusive rights to service the GE agreement as a subcontractor for ARCA.  The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity and because we have the ability to significantly influence the economic performance of the entity through our contractual agreement with GE.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications:  The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) include the reclassification of prior year revenues, cost of revenues and sales, general and administrative expenses related to AAP to conform with the current year presentation. The reclassification is related primarily to facilities costs and certain other costs not directly related to the production of recycled materials from cost of revenues to sales, general and administrative expenses.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value of financial instruments:  The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable:  Due to their nature and short-term maturities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Short- and long-term debt:  The fair value of short- and long-term debt approximates carrying value and has been estimated based on discounted cash flows using interest rates being offered for similar debt having the same or similar remaining maturities and collateral requirements.

No separate comparison of fair values versus carrying values is presented for the aforementioned financial instruments since their fair values are not significantly different than their balance sheet carrying amounts.  In addition, the aggregate fair values of the financial instruments would not represent the underlying value of our Company.

Trade receivables

Trade receivables: We carry unsecured trade receivables at the original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a monthly review of all outstanding amounts.  Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.  We write off trade receivables when we deem them uncollectible.  We record recoveries of trade receivables previously written off when we receive them.  We consider a trade receivable to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for more than ninety days.  We do not charge interest on past due receivables.

Inventories

Inventories:  Inventories, consisting principally of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market and consist of:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Appliances held for resale	$	14,598		$	17,768
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale	301			188
Less provision for inventory obsolescence	(504		)	(682		)
	$	14,395		$	17,274

We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustments to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions.  We look at historical inventory agings and margin analysis in determining our provision estimate.  A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded.

Software development costs

Software development costs:  We capitalize software developed for internal use and are amortizing such costs over their estimated useful lives of three years.

Product warranty

Product warranty:  We provide a warranty for the replacement or repair of certain defective units which varies based on the product sold.  Our standard warranty policy requires us to repair or replace certain defective units at no cost to our customers.  We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty and record an accrual in the amount of such costs at the time we recognize product revenue.  Factors that affect our warranty accrual for covered units include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on these units, and the cost of such claims.  We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty accrual and adjust the amounts as necessary.

Share-based compensation

Share-based compensation:  We recognize share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for all share-based awards granted.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of awards at the grant date.  We calculate the expected volatility for stock awards using historical volatility.  We estimate a 0%-5% forfeiture rate for stock awards issued to all employees and members of the Board of Directors, but will continue to review these estimates in future periods.  The risk-free rates for the expected terms of the stock awards are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  The expected life represents the period that the stock awards are expected to be outstanding.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss):  Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to shareholders’ equity.  Our other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Basic and diluted income per share

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:  Basic income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued.  Potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock include unexercised stock options and warrants.  Basic per share amounts are computed, generally, by dividing net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential Common Stock instruments unless their effect is anti-dilutive, thereby reducing the loss or increasing the income per common share.  In calculating diluted weighted average shares and per share amounts, we included stock options and warrants with exercise prices below average market prices, for the respective reporting periods in which they were dilutive, using the treasury stock method.

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Retail	$ 18,059	$ 19,756
Recycling	8,300	5,265
Byproduct	4,065	4,423
Total revenues	30,424	29,444
Costs of revenues	22,514	21,500
Gross profit	7,910	7,944
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,485	7,860
Operating income (loss)	425	84
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(283)	(254)
Other income (expense), net	(13)	16
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	129	(154)
Provision for income taxes	0	(77)
Net income (loss)	129	(77)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	55	11
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	184	(66)
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	5,556	5,537
Diluted (in shares)	5,678	5,537
Net income (loss)	129	(77)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments	(58)	60
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(58)	60
Comprehensive income (loss)	71	(17)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	55	11
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$ 126	$ (6)

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Deferred Gain

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]

Deferred Gain

Deferred Gain

In connection with the September 25, 2009 sale-leaseback of our St. Louis Park, Minnesota, building, we recorded a deferred gain of $2,436.  The deferred gain is being amortized over the initial lease period of five years.  For three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we amortized $121 and $122, respectively, of the deferred gain.  The deferred gain amortization is netted against rent expense as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

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Line of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) that provides us with a $15,000 revolving line of credit.  See Note 8 for further discussion regarding the Term Loan entered into with PNC.  The Credit Agreement has a stated maturity date of January 24, 2016, if not renewed.  The Credit Agreement includes a lockbox agreement and a subjective acceleration clause and as a result we have classified the revolving line of credit as a current liability.  The Credit Agreement is collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and PNC is also secured by an inventory repurchase agreement with Whirlpool Corporation for Whirlpool purchases only.  We also issued a $750 letter of credit in favor of Whirlpool Corporation.  The Credit Agreement requires starting with the fiscal quarter ending December 28, 2013 and continuing at the end of each quarter thereafter, that we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, measured on a trailing twelve-month basis.  The Credit Agreement limits investments we can purchase, the amount of other debt and leases we can incur, the amount of loans we can issue to our affiliates and the amount we can spend on fixed assets along with prohibiting the payment of dividends.  The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is PNC Base Rate plus 2.75%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 1.75%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 2.75%.  The PNC Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by PNC at its prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (1%).  As of March 30, 2013, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $7,769 with an interest rate of 6.00%.  As of December 29, 2012, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $10,559 with a weighted average interest rate of 3.07%, which included both PNC LIBOR Rate and PNC Base Rate loans.  The amount of revolving borrowings under the Credit Agreement is based on a formula using accounts receivable and inventories.  We may not have access to the full $15,000 revolving line of credit due to the formula using accounts receivable and inventories, the amount of the letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation and the amount of outstanding loans between PNC and our AAP joint venture.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, our available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement was $3,806 and $2,531, respectively.

On March 14, 2013, we executed the third amendment to the Credit Agreement that extended the agreement from January 24, 2014 until January 24, 2016, waived our prior “events of default,” reset our financial covenants and increased our interest rate, among other things. The material amended terms under the Credit Agreement are as follows:

• We must meet monthly minimum EBITDA requirements set forth in the amendment through 2013.

• The affiliate loan balance must be reduced by $40 per month in 2013 and the affiliate loan balance will be capped at $300 on January 25, 2014, and thereafter.

• Starting on December 28, 2013, we must meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 for the nine months then ended and on a trailing twelve-month basis beginning with the period ending March 30, 2014, and each quarter thereafter.

• The interest rate spread on our Revolving Loan and Term Loan increased 100 basis points for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. We are not eligible to borrow under 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans until certain Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met as set forth in the amendment, which include meeting all financial covenants during 2013. If these Interest Rate Reduction conditions are met, we will also be able to remove the 100 basis point increase for both PNC Base Rate loans and 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate loans. The earliest the Interest Rate Reduction conditions could be met is January 31, 2014.

• A prepayment penalty will be assessed at 3% during the first year of the third amendment to our Credit Agreement, 2% during the second year and 1% during the third year.

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Borrowings (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations

Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
PNC term loan	$	1,976	$	2,040
Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment	4,088		4,154
2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment	404		411
10.00% note, due in monthly installments of $13, including interest, due December 2014	248		280
Capital leases and other financing obligations	471		427
	7,187		7,312
Less current maturities	1,037		955
	$	6,150	$	6,357

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of inventories, consisting principally of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market

Inventories:  Inventories, consisting principally of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market and consist of:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Appliances held for resale	$	14,598		$	17,768
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale	301			188
Less provision for inventory obsolescence	(504		)	(682		)
	$	14,395		$	17,274

Schedule of property and equipment

We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustments to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions.  We look at historical inventory agings and margin analysis in determining our provision estimate.  A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded.

Property and equipment:  Property and equipment consists of the following:

	March 30, 2013			December 29, 2012
Land	$	1,140		$	1,140
Buildings and improvements	3,277			3,429
Equipment (including computer software)	20,154			20,158
Projects under construction	81			63
	24,652			24,790
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(12,706		)	(12,542		)
	$	11,946		$	12,248

Schedule of warranty accrual

Changes in our warranty accrual are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Beginning Balance	$	47		$	71
Standard accrual based on units sold	11			12
Actual costs incurred	(4		)	(4		)
Periodic accrual adjustments	(12		)	(13		)
Ending Balance	$	42		$	66

Schedule of reconciliation of the denominator in the basic and diluted income or loss per share

A reconciliation of the denominator in the basic and diluted income or loss per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	$	184	$	(66	)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic	5,556		5,537
Employee stock options	—		—
Stock warrants	122		—
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted	5,678		5,537
Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)
Diluted	$	0.03	$	(0.01	)

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 30, 2013, we did not record a provision for (benefit of) income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recorded a benefit of income taxes of $77. We have available net operating losses to utilize in 2013 to offset our projected full-year taxable income. We regularly evaluate both positive and negative evidence related to retaining a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.  The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future taxable income during the periods when deductible temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income. We have concluded based on the weight of negative evidence that a valuation allowance should be maintained against our net operating loss deferred tax assets as of March 30, 2013.

We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position.  For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, we did not have any material uncertain tax positions.

It is our practice to recognize interest related to income tax matters as a component of interest expense and penalties as a component of selling, general and administrative expense.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, we had an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, foreign jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions.  Tax regulations from each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, foreign, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2009.  We are not currently under examination by any taxing jurisdiction.

We had no significant unrecognized tax benefits as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 that would reasonably be expected to affect our effective tax rate during the next twelve months.

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Borrowings

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Borrowings

Borrowings

Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
PNC term loan	$	1,976	$	2,040
Floating rate term loans, due in monthly installments of $54, including interest, due March 2021, collateralized by equipment	4,088		4,154
2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment	404		411
10.00% note, due in monthly installments of $13, including interest, due December 2014	248		280
Capital leases and other financing obligations	471		427
	7,187		7,312
Less current maturities	1,037		955
	$	6,150	$	6,357

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a $2,550 Term Loan (“Term Loan”) with PNC Bank to refinance the mortgage on our California facility.  The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default or termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: 119 consecutive monthly principal payments of $21 plus interest commencing on February 1, 2011 and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter followed by a 120th payment of all unpaid principal, interest and fees on February 1, 2021. If the Revolving Credit Agreement is not renewed a balloon payment of $1,275 in principal plus interest and additional fees will be due on January 24, 2016. The Term Loan is collateralized with our California facility located in Compton, California. The interest rate is PNC Base Rate plus 3.25%. If certain interest rate reduction conditions are met starting January 31, 2014, the rate will change to PNC Base Rate plus 2.25%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 3.25%. As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.50% and 5.50%, respectively.

On March 10, 2011, ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC entered into three separate commercial term loans (“AAP Term Loans”) with Susquehanna Bank, pursuant to the guidelines of the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program.  The total amount of the AAP Term Loans is $4,750, split into three separate loans for $2,100; $1,400; and $1,250.  The AAP Term Loans mature in ten years and bear an interest rate of Prime plus 2.75%.  As of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the interest rate was 6.00%.  Borrowings under the AAP Term Loans are secured by substantially all of the assets of AAP along with liens on the business assets and certain personal assets of the owners of 4301 Operations, LLC. We are a guarantor of the AAP Term Loans along with 4301 Operations, LLC and its owners.

Capital leases and other financing obligations:  We acquire certain equipment under capital leases and other financing obligations.  The cost of the equipment was approximately $1,955 and $1,969 at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  Accumulated amortization at March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was approximately $1,581 and $1,574, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization expense is included in cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Contracts:  We have entered into material contracts with three appliance manufacturers.  Under the agreements there are no minimum purchase commitments; however, we have agreed to indemnify the manufacturers for certain claims, allegations or losses with respect to appliances we sell.

Litigation: We are party from time to time to ordinary course disputes that we do not believe to be material or have merit.  We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these ordinary course disputes.

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Shareholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

Stock options:  On May 12, 2011, our shareholders approved and adopted the 2011 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”).  The 2011 Plan authorizes the granting of awards in any of the following forms: (i) stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, and (iii) other share-based awards, including but not limited to restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance shares and expire on the earlier of May 12, 2021 or the date that all shares reserved under the 2011 Plan are issued or no longer available. 

The 2011 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 700 shares of Common Stock pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan.  Options granted to employees typically vest over two years while grants to non-employee directors vest in six months.  As of March 30, 2013, 52 options were outstanding under the 2011 Plan.  Our 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”) expired on June 30, 2011, but the options outstanding under the 2006 Plan continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  As of March 30, 2013, 473 options were outstanding to employees and non-employee directors under the 2006 Plan.  Our Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”) has expired, but the options outstanding under the expired 1997 Plan continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  As of March 30, 2013, options to purchase an aggregate of 8 shares were outstanding under the 1997 Plan.

Stock warrants: As of March 30, 2013, we had 278 warrants outstanding that were fully vested and have exercise prices ranging from $0.73 per share to $3.55 per share which begin to expire in October 2019.

Preferred Stock: Our amended Articles of Incorporation authorize two million shares of Preferred Stock that may be issued from time to time in one or more series having such rights, powers, preferences and designations as the Board of Directors may determine.  To date no such preferred shares have been issued.

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Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits	$ 1,332	$ 963
Accrued incentive and rebate checks	549	563
Accrued rent	1,291	1,383
Warranty expense	42	47	66	71
Accrued payables	365	307
Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback of building	487	487
Deferred revenue	167	157
Other	946	403
Total	$ 5,179	$ 4,310

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Other Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Schedule of other assets

Other assets as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Goodwill	$	38	$	38
Deposits	400		376
Recycling contract, net	240		259
Debt issuance costs, net	370		279
Patent costs	21		21
	$	1,069	$	973

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Trade receivables
Trade receivable period to be recognized	90 days
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 12	$ 8

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Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Details 2)	Mar. 30, 2013
Preferred Stock
Number of authorized shares of preferred stock	2,000,000

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 129	$ (77)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash and cash equivalents (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	337	303
Share-based compensation	4	36
Amortization of deferred gain	(121)	(122)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	49	49
Other	16	3
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(571)	1,298
Inventories	2,879	(1,807)
Other current assets	335	(231)
Other assets	(24)	(37)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,277	2,412
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	4,310	1,827
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(45)	(350)
Increase in restricted cash	(500)	0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(545)	(350)
Financing activities
Net payments under line of credit	(2,790)	(1,725)
Payments on debt obligations	(205)	(257)
Proceeds from issuance of debt obligations	80	0
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock	0	82
Payment of debt issuance costs	(42)	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(2,957)	(1,900)
Effect of changes in exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	(57)	58
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	751	(365)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,174	4,401
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,925	4,036
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash payments for interest	205	203
Cash payments for income taxes	1	123
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Accrued debt issuance costs related to amended credit agreement	$ 98	$ 0

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Accrued Expenses

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012 consist of the following:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Compensation and benefits	$	1,332	$	963
Accrued incentive and rebate checks	549		563
Accrued rent	1,291		1,383
Warranty expense	42		47
Accrued payables	365		307
Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback of building	487		487
Deferred revenue	167		157
Other	946		403
	$	5,179	$	4,310

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Inventories
Appliances held for resale	$ 14,598	$ 17,768
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale	301	188
Less provision for inventory obsolescence	(504)	(682)
Inventory, Net	$ 14,395	$ 17,274

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Mar. 30, 2013 manufacturer
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of appliance manufacturers that have material contracts with the Company	3

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Variable Interest Entity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Variable Interest Entity

Summary of assets and liabilities

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of AAP as of March 30, 2013 and December 29, 2012:

	March 30, 2013		December 29, 2012
Assets
Current assets	$	664	$	787
Property and equipment, net	8,952		9,109
Other assets	146		149
Total Assets	$	9,762	$	10,045
Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	719	$	826
Accrued expenses	261		204
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations	723		635
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities	4,307		4,437
Other liabilities (a)	669		749
Total Liabilities	$	6,679	$	6,851

(a) Other liabilities represent loans between ARCA and AAP that are eliminated in consolidation.

Summary of operating results

The following table summarizes the operating results of AAP for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Revenues	$	2,577		$	2,720
Gross profit	316			522
Operating income (loss)	(53		)	65
Net loss	(110		)	(22		)